Sir,- I recently received a bag from a refining company offering a good price for my 'waste crowns', and it prompted me to write a letter to share my views. Over nearly 30 years of practice I've always returned 'valuable waste' (i.e. gold crowns) to the patient in a pre-stamped addressed envelope via the refining company. They've always been grateful. Upon returning to the UK I had to ask a specialist for the removal of an entire failed 'roundhouse' bridge. After its removal, it was said to have been discarded as 'clinical waste'. Shouldn't we give the patient the choice of either having the value refunded (a third party prevents problems to the dentist) or perhaps a charitable donation (to a charity, not the dentist that is)?